CH. 4: TRAPPED
"Linda," Danny made his next phone call. "Are you and the kids at home?" "I am, but the kids are at the movies with Nicki, Erin dropped them off a little while
ago on her way to the office." Danny sighed and mumbled something under his breath. "Why what's wrong," Linda's voice was beginning to show a bit of
concern, knowing this was about something a lot bigger than her letting the kids go to the movies? "Linda, I need you to listen to me very carefully," Danny
was trying to get down to business. "Pack a few things for us and the kids. We have to go to Dads, Jamie just left the 12th and after he packs a few things for
himself, he and his partner Eddie will come by and pick you up," Danny already knew that Eddie would be with him, knowing that neither Jamie and Eddie, nor
he and Jackie would split until they thought it was safe. "Tell me what's going on," Linda was immediately concerned for her children? "I can't right now," Danny
brushed her question aside as he tried to finish with the warning routine, that Frank had, had set up for a number of years, in the essence something such as
this happened. "Whatever you do, don't answer the door for anyone but Jamie, and don't answer any phone calls, unless they are from the family." "Danny, I
have to go get the kids," Linda was already grabbing her car keys. "Linda No, don't go anywhere until Jamie gets there." "What about the kids Danny, I'm
worried about the kids." "Don't worry about the kids, I'll go get them now, and I promise I won't let them out of my sight," Danny and Jackie were already
heading for the car. "What are you going to do with four kids, while trying to work," Linda already knew that would be nearly impossible, even for Danny. "I
can't work right now, at least not in the field, as of right now, the Commissioner has ordered me to lay low, at least until we get a little more intel," Danny
sounded frustrated at the fact of having to be under house arrest. "God bless him," Linda thought to herself at least she would have one less thing to worry
about at the present moment, at least with her children away from her.
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Danny slipped into the back of the theater searching for four heads he would recognize. It was dark, and he knew that locating them wouldn't be easy. He tried
calling them, but it was apparent they had their phones cut off. He scanned the aisles, and was pleased when he found them all sitting together and on the
end, that definitely made things easier. "Follow me outside," he knelt down and whispered to Nicki who was sitting on the end, and then gestured for the rest
of them to follow. Andy's mind immediately went to concern, thinking she was in trouble, yet couldn't for the life of her figure out what she, Nicki, Jack and Sean
could have done. They asked permission to go, and they didn't sneak in, and they weren't causing a disturbance, what else was there? "Stay close to me, and
do exactly as I say," was all Danny said before ushering them over to the car in a hurry. In that instant, Andy knew that for once it wasn't anything she had
done to put Danny in that state of mind. This was something different, something much worse, he was completely on edge. "Where to now partner," Jackie
looked over at him? "Bay Ridge," Danny mumbled, still not thrilled with the whole idea of having to lay low. Then again what choice did he have, his family
needed him at home, and he was under orders. He had disobeyed orders in the past, but this time things were different, this one came directly from the
Commissioner himself. He also knew that Frank wouldn't exactly enjoy being cooped up either, needless to say he figured if Frank could do it, he could do it.
Jamie on the other hand had been under house arrest before and he hated every minute of it and started acting like a teenager again, complaining that he
was grounded. Yeah Danny wasn't really looking forward to that again. And this time was going to be much worse, this time they were all going to be trapped
together with four kids all under one roof. It would be a miracle if they survived it all.
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"Living room everybody," Frank called them all together the second they were all together at his home. "I know that many of you don't know what's going on
here, so Danny and I will try to explain it as best we can." Frank didn't exactly want to scare the kids, but there were parts of the situation he felt like they
needed to be aware of, so they could understand the seriousness of it. "Some years back a man named Chris Baxter went to prison, anyways he threatened
that if he ever got out he would come after us," Frank started. "We don't exactly know where he is right now," Danny noticed Sean was getting a little worried,
"so we thought we would take a few precautions and all stay here together." "But in order for all this to work, we need to go over a few ground rules," Frank
said gently, 'and we need you guys to pay attention," he looked directly at his grandchildren. "No going near the windows, and absolutely no going outside."
"Does this mean we don't have to go to school," Andy couldn't help but sound a bit excited? "This means no going anywhere, until we deem it safe," Frank
clarified. "Okay," the kids looked like they were on the verge to go play. At least the kids didn't seem worried, the adults noticed, then again why should they,
they knew they had their family to protect them. The kids ran up the stairs, and Frank sat down with the rest of his family. "Tell us what's going on Francis,"
Henry wanted more, and the serious version. "He was prosecuted for murder, and we think he's got a problem with us, because me, Danny and Erin all played
a part in his arrest." "So we are all in danger," Linda questioned? "He threatened to come after the family if he ever got out, and being he escaped, we think he
might act on his threats," Danny explained. "What can we do," this time it was Erin to voice a question? "I have all my people looking into it, and there will be
officers on the house 24/7," Frank started. "Apparently not all your people," Danny was speaking of himself and Jamie. "Oh you're still going to be working,"
Frank enlightened his two sons. "Since I can't go into the office, the office is moving here. Get ready to find out if you can work my job boys." "You know Dad, I
think I'd be more use to you out in the field," Danny admitted. "Give up Danny, I've been here before, there's no use in trying to convince him of otherwise,"
Jamie seemed to be the most comfortable, remembering all too well his time under house arrest to keep him away from the Sanfino family. "This is going to be
the longest assignment ever," Danny muttered. "How long do you think we will be here," Erin was thinking of all the work that would be piling up while she was
away? "Hopefully not long, and I'm sure everything's going to be fine," Frank was being completely serious and trying to sound as reassuring to his family as
he could. "Uh, hello, no it's not Grandpa, I hate to be the only voice of reason around here, but," Andy apparently decided to rejoin the adults downstairs some
time ago. "Hey, watch your mouth Andy," Danny interrupted. "I don't mean to sound disrespectful or anything Grandpa, but you said it yourself that Danny is
the best detective you've got, and if he's stuck in here, he can't exactly detect anything," Andy had a point. "I know Andy," Frank sounded sympathetic, "and
don't worry, we were prepared for this, and all precautions have been taken." "Oh I'm not worried," Andy looked at him with a smile, "I know you'll handle it,
I'm just grateful for the break I'm going to get away from the terrible Blessed Hearts Academy," Andy disappeared back up the stairs before Danny or Linda
could give a correction. "Grandpa," Jack was the next one of the kids to interrupt, as he ran down the stairs and into the living room. "What is it Jack," Frank
turned his attention to him? "Where all are we going to sleep?" "Hmm, I haven't given that much thought," Frank admitted, considering he had about a
thousand other things on his mind. "But I guess Danny and Linda can stay in Danny's old room, and Erin and Nicki in Erin's old room." He would have liked to
put Andy and Nicki together, but he figured three to a room would be a little crowded, and considering they didn't know how long they were going to be in this
current situation, he thought it best to only put two to a room. "That leaves Jamie and Sean in Jamie's old room, and Andy and Jack in Joe's old room." Again,
Frank thought it wise to put Andy and Jack together, knowing they got along better than Andy and Sean. "Come on Jack, let's take our stuff upstairs and get
settled in," Linda thought it best to leave the cops of the family alone for a few minutes, and away from little ears. "You know I was afraid something like this
might happen," Frank sounded as if his worst nightmare was coming to life. Danny hated to hear the tone in his Fathers voice, it wasn't a comforting feeling,
and a sound he didn't remember when the last time he had heard such worry in his voice. "I'm just glad you had a plan set up," Jamie admitted. "Let's just
hope it works," Frank sighed. "So I was thinking," Danny spoke up, "I know you have officers on the house, but I think it might be a good idea if we watch the
house as well, maybe rotate every four hours, at least at night." "I agree," Jamie was quick to put his opinion in, all they were lacking now was their fathers.
"Might not be a bad idea," Frank figured aloud, most of the time, he wasn't one to take suggestions, but in the situation they were in, he knew he had to trust
someone, someone who understood the job, and who better than his own sons.
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The first day week went by rather smoothly, with very little issues considering it seemed like they were having more fun than anything else, especially the kids,
even if they did happen to be trapped. The cops in the family were still working relentlessly on the case, files and laptops always spread about the dining room
table, at least when Henry and Linda didn't make them clear everything away so they would have enough room when they ate. "At least we don't have to go
to church," Andy mentioned to her cousin the following day. "Don't let Grandpa here you say that, you'll be in for the longest lecture of your life," Nicki warned
her. "Mm, I get enough of those from his son," a disgruntled look crossed Andy's face. "With your track record I wouldn't doubt it," Nicki mumbled. "What's that
supposed to mean?" "It just means that you are always in trouble," Nicki said pointedly. "Hey, there was that one week I wasn't in trouble," Andy recollected
pointing at her. "Yeah that one time," Nicki put emphasis on the word one. "And I got really bored that week," Andy didn't seem to care too much about Nicki's
observation. "Time to eat everybody," Erin called up the stairs interrupting the girl's conversation. It wasn't long before everyone was at the table, considering
it wasn't like they could go outside or be even be late for family dinner, being they were trapped. "Somebody go wake up Jamie," Frank noticed his youngest
son wasn't down yet since he had the last watch the night before. "I'm on it," Andy jumped up obviously volunteering her services, before she hurried up the
stairs and into her grandfather room in search of the water bottle. "Time to wake up sleeping beauty," Andy tiptoed into the room before dousing him several
times with a few full blown squirts to the face. "Not again Andrea," Jamie raised his voice sitting up. "Time to run," Andy picked up a little speed and ran down
the stairs and slid into her place at the dinner table. She normally sat next to Jamie during family dinner, but not this time, this time Andy decided to trade
places with Jack and sit on the opposite side where she deemed it safer, at least for the time being. "Andy," Jamie took a deep breath after he sat down. "Why
the squirt bottle?" "Waters good for you," she piped up. "Besides it was either that or a frog kissing you, but then I remembered that you're not a princess, so
I figured that was out of the question." "Where do you come up with your version of fairy tales," Jamie was confused? "I didn't have the typical childhood
upbringing, like your used too, in fact I don't think I heard stories," Andy shrugged. "Gramps please," Jamie looked over at his grandfather, "educate the child."
"Can we say grace now," Frank was ready to put an end to their back and forth nonsense, especially when the food was getting cold in front of him. "Don't let
us stop you," Andy wasn't the least bit tired of going up against Jamie, in fact she found it rather enjoyable. "Andy," Linda looked at her serious, "if you can't
say anything nice or respectful at this table, you will not speak at all." "Yes mam," Andy mumbled, "sorry Grandpa, sorry Uncle Jamie." They had just said grace
and was about to start passing when Andy reached under her chair for the squirt bottle and surprised Jamie with another squirt to the face. "Why did you do
that," this time Jamie looked rather annoyed? "I just wanted to make sure you were awake so you wouldn't fall asleep in your plate," Andy tried to sound as
innocent as possible. "No squirt bottles at the table Andy," Frank held his hand out to her. "Yes Sir," Andy handed it to him, although she couldn't help but feel a
little sad by it. "No more shenanigans at the table today Andy," this time it was Danny to correct her. "I didn't say anything mean or disrespectful," Andy
couldn't help but smile, although she tried to hide it. "You really need to try and behave Andy, we are all going to be spending quite a bit of time together, and
everything will go much smoother if you mind your manners." "I won't promise anything," Andy sighed, "but I'll try." "So what can we do, if we can't go outside,"
Nicki didn't ask anyone in particular? "Me, Danny, and Jamie are going to be spending most of our time working," Frank admitted. "What about the rest of us,"
Jack wondered aloud. "You my boy, can watch TV, at least as much TV as your parents will allow," Frank was careful to add, "we have plenty of games in stock, I
have an office full of books, and there's always the radio," Frank wasn't exactly in the business of babysitting, but these were his grandchildren after all. This
was bound to be hard on them, then again it was going to be hard on all of them, and not just the kids. "Whos turn is it to clear and clean up," Henry looked
around the dinner table. "I believe its Jamie's turn," Erin said honestly. "We'll do them," Andy, Jack and Sean volunteered after Jamie cleared his throat. "This is
a new one," Linda looked at Danny surprised once their children gathered up the dishes and disappeared into the kitchen. "When have all three of our children
ever volunteered to clean the kitchen?" "I don't think it's ever happened to be honest with you," Danny said honestly, "unless they were in some sort of
trouble," he recollected looking at his brother. "It was nothing major," Jamie tried to reassure them, "if it was I would have told you, but it was something
simple so I took care of it." "Is it one of those need to know things," Danny seemed perfectly content to be left in the dark? "Pretty much," Jamie nodded.
"Sounds good to me," Danny pushed his chair back to get back to work, just glad that he wasn't the one to have to discipline them for a change.
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"This has proven to be very rewarding for me, at least in the dishes department," Jamie was trying to keep a straight face as he joined his niece and nephews
in the kitchen. "Don't you have work to do with Dad and Grandpa, or have someone else to annoy," Andy didn't appear to be having much fun washing dishes.
"Dads still at the table, so I'm all yours," Jamie leaned against the island, looking as if he didn't have any plans to vacate the premises any time soon. "In that
case grab a dish towel," Jack tossed him one of the cup towels. "You know I'd love too, but how would that teach you responsibility and respect," Jamie tossed
it back at him. "Maybe this will teach you to have a love for water," Andy grabbed the side sprayer on the sink and squirted it at him. "Hey no far, I'm unarmed,"
Jamie tried to keep his head down, making slow steps toward her in an attempt to take it from her. "Hey, your mean taking toys away from children," Andy said
as she, Jamie, Jack and Sean fought over the sprayer. "What are you doing in here," Frank had to raise his voice in order to be heard over the commotion? "He
started it," Andy was quick to blame Jamie as all four of them dropped the sprayer and it retracted back to its place. "Did not," Jamie argued. "You are all
responsible," Frank put an end to the finger pointing. "And another thing, you are just lucky I came in here rather than Pop, because if he did, you would all be
in some serious trouble. You know how he feels about the kitchen." "It's his domain," Jack said quietly. "Yes," Frank lowered his voice quite a bit before turning
to his son. "Now do you think you can pull yourself away from the water park to come help your brother and I solve a case?" "I think so," Jamie dried himself off
and hurried out of the room to join Danny. "And do you three think you can finish cleaning the kitchen without flooding it and without adult supervision," he
turned his attention to three damp grandchildren? "I think so," Andy figured if Jamie's answer worked for him, there was no reason why it shouldn't work for
them. "Whew," Sean blew out a breath once Frank left them alone, "that was close." "No kidding," Andy's eyes were wide. "Andy you are just so lucky that
Uncle Jamie doesn't grow tired of your shenanigans and decides to tell Dad that you are tormenting him," Jack mentioned. "Jamie never tells Dad, we just have
one of those relationships where we can pick on one another, and as long as I don't do anything like really serious, it's kept on the down low, he loves the title
of fun uncle way too much. Not to mention, I don't think Dad really cares if I torment Jamie, he just doesn't want me to be disrespectful or anything like that,"
Andy admitted. "We better get this kitchen cleaned up before Gramps gets in here and finds this place messier than the way he left it before dinner," Neither of
the kids felt like moving but finally decided that rather than face the wrath of their great grandfather, it was best they get to work.
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"Let's get him," Andy, Jack, and Sean yelled charging down the stairs later that evening! "You know when you stalk someone, you are actually supposed to be
quiet," Danny mentioned trying to tell them to be quiet, but in a subtle way. "Why don't you show us, you do hunt people down for a living after all," Andy was
trying to get him to play with them. "I do a lot more than that," Danny mentioned. "So do you want to play with us, it would be educational," Andy piped up
again. "I can't play with you right now Andy, I'm working," Danny went back to the opened file. "Just play with them Danny," Frank shook his head, "we've been
at it all day, and I'm getting a little worn." "You sure," Danny had to admit he himself was a little tired of constantly reading and re-reading case files, but he did
it, hoping some way something would come out to him, about where Baxter may be hiding? "Yeah," Frank nodded, knowing the kids needed a little time with
Danny, knowing they were getting a little bored. "Okay," Danny couldn't help but smile, "come on Jamie you be the perp." "Can't I'm working," Jamie brushed
him off. "No you're not," Danny looked at him shocked, "you are just making it look like you are. You haven't moved from that place for the past ten minutes."
"Well now everybody knows," Jamie was tired as he threw a pencil at his brother. "So are you in Uncle Jamie, we need someone to hunt," Sean looked
pleadingly at his uncle. "I guess I'm in," Jamie shrugged. "But put your gun away Danny, I don't want you to get carried away."
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"I wish my kids would be content to just sit down and read," Linda admitted to Erin after seeing Nicki content just sitting in the corner of one of the rooms
reading. "Sometimes I wish she would take part in some of their fun and games," Erin said quietly. "You would probably regret that if she really did, if my kids
aren't in trouble, they are looking for something to get them in trouble," Linda thought of the many times she wished for quiet evenings but they were
interrupted by notes sent home from school, arguing or fighting with one another, and just doing crazy dangerous things." "Why, are they loud on a regular
basis," Erin questioned? "Let's just put it this way, anytime my kids are quiet for longer than five minutes I get worried." "That's because they are just like
Danny," Erin mentioned. "Hopefully they'll outgrow it," Linda said with a half-smile. "Danny never did," Erin gestured at her brother who was sneaking around
the corner, Andy and Jack following him intently, and with Sean hanging on to his back.
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"Alright, it's my turn to spend a little time with my GG's," Henry announced coming into the living room later that night after the kids were settled into their
pajamas. "What are we going to do," Jack asked following Henry. "Should we be worried," Andy picked her head up from the couch, from where she was
watching TV? "Always be worried when Gramps has an idea," Nicki whispered. "Andy turn the TV off, and Danny turn the lights off," Henry took a seat in his
usual place. The only light in the room was coming from the lit fireplace, and the kids settled on the floor next to it, as Henry began telling them one of his
favorite scary stories. "When I said tell Andy a story, I didn't mean this kind of story," Jamie interrupted. "This one's better now pipe down Jamie," Henry didn't
want to ruin the atmosphere in the room. "I don't know if many of you know this or not," Henrys voice was low, "but a short time after this house was built,
somebody was murdered in the basement." Henry considered making the person that died a cop, but knew that his son would interrupt, thinking that it may hit
a little too close to home based on the situation they were currently in. "Anyways, the guy had just moved into the house when one of the delusional
contractors, who had a history of known violence, and raging thoughts that would cause him to have blackouts. One night he snuck into the house, killed the
home owner, suffered from an immediate blackout afterwards and died in the room we are sitting in now. The story goes on to say that his ghost walks the
halls of this house each and every night at the stroke of midnight." By the time the story was over, neither of the kids were sitting at his feet and near the
fireplace, instead Nicki had a death grip on Frank's shirt, and Andy, Jack and Sean appeared as if it would take a work from heaven to get them pried away from
Danny. "Perhaps we should watch a movie now," Frank suggested seeing how wide the kid's eyes were, knowing that it wouldn't be anytime soon that they
fell asleep. "Good idea, and I'll pick," Danny managed to get off the couch, but was closely followed by his three children, each one of them hanging onto him.
"And just who says you get to pick," Erin followed him to the shelf? "Me," Danny sounded as if it was the simplest explanation in the world, "I'm the oldest," he
handed the DVD to his sister so he could get settled back into place with his three magnets. "You know so much in this world depends on who gets born first,"
Jamie looked at his sister. "Tell me about it," Sean mumbled shaking his head, sounding as if he could definitely relate. "Are you feeling a little put out Son,"
Danny placed him on his lap? "It just isn't fair, there's always someone older or bigger than you who thinks they get to be the boss." "Andy and Jack aren't
bossy are they," Danny was partially afraid to hear the actual answer? "More than you know," Sean settled his head against Danny's chest, knowing that no
matter what anybody said it wouldn't make his brother and sister change.
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"Really Gramps, did you have tell the kids that two people died in the house," Danny and Linda looked absolutely exhausted the following morning as they
trudged into the kitchen, appearing as if they had only managed to get a couple hours of sleep tops. "We had three kids in bed with us last night." "Keeps your
family close," Henry handed them both a cup of coffee, knowing that if they did it themselves, they would be liable to drop the pot, causing it to shatter in
millions of piece, and spill hot coffee all over themselves in the process. "All I got to say is thank God, Dad decided to put a queen size bed in my room
sometime back, it would have been awful hard with five people in a full size bed, we would have had to move to the floor," Danny sounded more than grateful
for the bed change after he moved out. "Just please no more scary stories, at least not while were trapped." "Fine," Henry didn't sound too excited about their
remaining captivity. "But when the kids start getting out of control, it's your fault," he pointed at his eldest grandson. "There not going to get out of control
Grandpa, they've been relatively good so far, besides they no better, and I've already talked to them about being on their best behavior while we are in this
position," Danny didn't sound too worried. "It won't last," Henry said quietly before walking out of the room to leave Danny to think about what he just said.
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"Jackie's here," Danny mentioned moving away from the window to open the door sometime later that day. "Maybe she'll take me with her," Andy was looking
for a way out. "She'd bring you right back," Danny teased. "Probably," she agreed. "Hey Partner, how's life without me at the precinct," Danny wondered?
"Quiet," Jackie admitted. "Hey Jackie, would you like anything to eat," Linda asked walking into the room? "I can't stay," Jackie shook her head, "but I did bring
you your mail, school assignments for the kids, and everything we could dig up at the precinct." "Thank you," Linda was happy to receive the mail, hoping they
received the proofs from the photographer. "And the school stuff will help keep the kids occupied for a while, they won't be quiet, but at least they will be kept
busy," Danny knew without a doubt that Andy would spend most of her time complaining about having to do it, rather than actually doing it. "So how are things
in the outside world? Do you miss me," Danny grinned? "I get to drive," Jackie smiled knowing that very seldom did Danny let anybody else behind the wheel
aside from him, "but aside from that, it's the same old, same old." Jackie left, just as soon as she got there, knowing she had mounds of work to do with her
partner a little preoccupied. "Danny look the pictures are here," Linda called him into the living room excitedly where she was settled on the couch so everyone
could see. "This one of Andy is really good," Linda mentioned. "So is this one," Danny picked up another one. "It's going to be really hard to choose," Linda
looked at Danny as they glanced through the ones of all three of their children together. "I still like the one with the boys in a headlock," Andy poked her head
in between them. "I like this one better," Linda held up the one of the boys kissing Andy's cheek. "Not me," Andy said truthfully. "But it's so cute," Linda couldn't
help herself. "Is she always like this when you get pictures back," Andy looked at Danny? "She's worse this time," Danny admitted. "She never had a cute little
girl before," Danny couldn't help but tease her as he wrapped her in a hug. "Awe Dad," Andy tried to wiggle her way free, but it proved useless as Danny held
tight.
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The following day, and it was almost as if Henry predicted the upcoming trouble that was about to erupt. Not only were they not making any head way on the
couch, but the kids were beginning to feel like they were really and truly trapped.
This chapter is a little shorter than the others, but I have lots of plans for Trapped Part 2... I am currently writing 2 stories at once. My Andy stories, and another idea I had that features a child of Joe's. Not sure if it anyone will like it, but I think its good. I guess we will see. Thanks again for all the follows, favorites and reviews, you keep me writing, and I also really appreciate it... JusticeStandsTRUE